The Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir, announced that Iceland will hold a referendum in the coming months to decide whether to restart negotiations for EU membership. This decision comes as part of her visit to Poland, where she discussed the implications of closer EU integration with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Prime Minister emphasized that the vote is intended to provide opportunities for integration while also respecting Iceland's national identity within Europe.

In 2009, Iceland applied for EU membership, leading to negotiations in 2010 that were unexpectedly halted in 2013 by the then-government. The upcoming referendum signals a potential shift in Iceland's policy towards the EU, reflecting ongoing debates within the country about the benefits and challenges of EU membership. This issue has resurged as Iceland seeks to align itself more closely with European standards, especially following various economic and political changes since the financial crisis.

The outcome of this referendum could have significant implications for Iceland's future relationship with the EU and its domestic political landscape. If the public supports resuming negotiations, it may lead to a new chapter in Iceland's attempts at EU integration. Conversely, a rejection could reaffirm a preference for maintaining independence from EU politics, highlighting the ongoing tension between globalization and national sovereignty in Iceland's political discourse.